Iraq and Afghanistan Deployment Checklist Recommendations
When I got orders to deploy to Iraq I had to ask several people to get a good idea of what extra gear I should take in addition to the unit deployment checklist, that would make my trip and deployment a little easier. There wasn't one person or place that I could go to quickly find what additional deployment items I needed. Once I figured out what I needed I had to visit several places to purchase all the gear I had on my personal checklist.
While this isn't all inclusive, it is based off what I ended up taking and what I wished I had taken. I also got input from several friends who all have multiple deployments under their belts. Hopefully this will be a useful resource that helps you figure out what you figure out and find what you need to put together your personal pre-deployment checklist.
If you find you're maxed out with all your deployment and personal gear, consider putting the stuff you won't need while traveling in a pre-addressed box and mailing it to yourself.
U.S. Cavalry and
If you're looking for just about any electronic equipment (external hard drives, thumb drives, cameras etc.) TigerDirect.com
You may be limited by unit requirements, but I deployed with a Sea Bag, a Flyers Kit Bag, and a 3 Day Backpack. The Sea Bag contained things (extra uniforms, socks, 782/TA-50 gear etc.) that I wouldn't need until I got into the AOR. You may get delayed a few days enroute (we did) so keep your sleeping bag on top for easier access if you need it. Vacuum packing your clothing will help you save to lot of space. Also, if you mark your bag on the side and bottom (I used red duct tape) so it stands out it will be easy to find among hundreds of other bags. The Marines and Sailors who had the rolling duffel bags had an easier time moving all their trash, but I managed to get by with a standard issue Sea Bag.
Anything that I couldn't cram in the Sea Bag (flak jacket, canteens, helmet etc.) went in the Flyers Kit Bag. It has a zipper, making access easier. I kept my poncho liner and other items I thought I might need enroute on top. (We got delayed in Kuwait over night and I ended up needing my poncho liner)
A colleague recommended I purchase a 3 day expandable backpack to use as my carry-on bag. What ever you purchase, make sure the bag has a waist support strap and is very solidly made. I purchased a "Bug Out" bag which doubled as a field pack in country. All your travel items (iPod, camera, shaving gear, extra skivvies and socks, towel, Gortex parka, travel pillow etc.) should be packed here. Make sure you water proof everything in Zip Loc bags, including shampoo, to prevent leakage.
Here's the list (click on the links below to view the items).
Backpack: My carry-on bag was 3 day bag very similiar to the 5.11 Tactical RUSH72 Backpack Black
Sea Bag/Duffel Bag: You should be able to travel with up to three Bags, so one should be a Large Duffel Bag
They are a little expensive, but are supposed to be indestructible. Flight Kit Bag
Helmet Bag: A Helmet Bag
Tactical Laptop Case: If you're taking a computer (DVD playing) or a portable DVD player you may want to consider a TACTICAL COMPUTER/ BRIEFCASE
if you're looking for a lot of extra protection for your electronic equipment. Rigger's Belt: A heavy duty Rigger's Belt
Drop Leg Holster: I used the Blackhawk Omega VI Ultra Universal Modular Light Holster
which I found really effective outside the FOB. As many of you know you can get your PPE on and off without removing your side arm which is a big plus. If you are looking for something else, Militaryclothing.com has a good variety of Military Holsters Shoulder Holster: If you are on a FOB and don't have to wear your PPE all the time you may want to consider a Tactical Shoulder Holster
in addition to your leg holster. Parachute (550) Cord: Has 1001 uses and is one of the most useful items you'll take on deployment. Put 20-30ft of Para Cord 550 in your survival kit. Great for dummy cording items, lashing, boot laces, tent lines, fishing line etc.
100 MPH Tape: AKA riggers tape. Another really useful item that can be used for just about anything. 100-Mile-an-Hour Tape (2")
Bungee Cords: Bungee Cord
Utility Tool: A Gerber Diesel™ Multitool
Knife: A good quality knife with a strong blade is another must have. Almost any
Benchmade®
Bandanna: A good sized Bandana
Balaclava: You'll find this very useful in the winter. Doubles as a watch cap to help save space. A BALACLAVA
Tactical Gloves: Depending on your mission make sure you have a good pair of TACTICAL GLOVES
Flashlight: The MINI MAGLITE BLACK (M2A01L)
LED Micro-light: A small clip mounted personal light is another must for deployment. You should keep a Microlight
Head Light: LED HEADLAMPS
Lightstick: Good to have 5-6 Light Sticks
ID Holder/Tactical WALLET: You'll need an ID holder that can either be hung around your neck or worn on your arm during your time on the FOB. The ID Neck Wallet
Laundry Bags: You'll need Laundry Bags
to stow and carry your laundry to the laundry point. Take at least two so you can have one at the cleaners and use the other to keep your dirty laundry in. I recommend you take something other than white so you can quickly pick your bag out of a croud. Water proofing: Make sure you water proof everything. Part of your basic gear should always be in waterproofing or in contractor trash bags
. You can pack each group of items and suck the air out with a vacuum in order to save space. Make sure you water proof everything Aloksak® Element Proof Bag MultipackDitty Bags/Carry Pouches: Dity bags are good for organizing your shaving gear, laundry and other small items. Carry pouches and pocket organizers (T.O.P. Modular Waist Pouch
Sunglasses/Eye Protection: UV eye protection is a must. U.S. Cavalry
Camelbak: As most of you know Camelbak makes very good tactical hydration systems, the CamelBak® ThermoBak® Omega 100 oz. (3L)
Sewing Kit: You'll probably end up making a few clothing repairs while deployed so you'll want to pack a sewing kit . Soldiers may also want to pack an ACU Repair Kit
Sandals: Make sure you bring a good pair of sandals
that can double as shower shoes. Buy something you would wear at the beach and outside. The shower shoes sold at the exchange will not hold up outside on gravel etc. Energy Bars: Good size for travel and for your survival kit. Energy Bars
are good choices if you need something quick. PT Gear: Don't forget your running shoes. As you'll have limited access to laundry you should bring PT Gear that wicks away moisture
and dries quickly so you can use it in between laundry runs. Civilian Clothing: Take a maximum of two days change of clothes. Remember they'll be stored most of the time, but you'll need something you can wear on R&R or home if you're going on leave. If you're stopping for training or processing at a CONUS base for several days I recommend you take more and mail what you won't need home(along with your cell phone etc.) the day before you depart.
Locks: Bring 3-4 locks. I recommend combination locks
(make sure you write down the combo in a secure place you can get to). If you don't use combination locks, get locks that use the same key and wear the key on your dog tags. Alarm Watch: Wear at watch that illuminates at night, has 24 hour time, a stop watch and an alarm. Timex Ironman
has several versions that are inexpensive and work well. USB Flash (thumb) Drive: Flash Drives
are great for saving space and you can use them to store personal data (URLs, addresses, music etc.). They are also good to store your extra pictures when your camera card is full. MP3 Player/Case: A must for anyone deploying these days. An iPod
or MP3 Player for PDAs, Electronics etc. Portable DVD Player: You may want to pack a Portable DVD Player
or a Personal Media Player to help pass the time when your traveling or have down time. Digital Camera: Don't forget to take a digital camera and take lots of pictures. Make sure you waterproof it and bring extra storage. Tiger Direct has good prices and a really good selection of digital cameras
General Notes
Email: Make sure you open a hotmail, yahoo or gmail account before you deploy and load the address book with all the email addresses you think you'll need.
Cell Phone Suspension: Contact your cell phone company and ask them if they will suspend your cell phone for the duration of your deployment. I saved almost $250 with Sprint. All they needed was a copy of my orders to suspend my phone service while I was deployed.
Insurance: Call your insurance company and ask them about reducing your auto coverage while deployed since you won't be driving. You should be able to save a significant amount on your premium. If you are looking into purchasing additional life insurance I highly recommend Navy Mutual Aid (www.navymutualaid.org). They are a non-profit insurer and also a financial counselor approved by SECNAV.
Calling Stateside: Take the DSN numbers to several CONUS base operators near home and the locations you might be calling. If the number you are calling is local ask the operator to give you a local line. If not, you should be able to dial a 1-800 calling card number.
Phone Cards: Make sure you take at least one phone card with plenty of minutes on it so you don't have several numbers (see above). You can get good deals at Sam's and COSTCO.
Personal Journal: I kept a daily personal log of everything significant that I did or that happened that day. My father kept a personal record in Vietnam and recommended I do this. You'll be glad you did.
Reading: Make time to stay caught up on your personal and professional reading. Make sure you take Reading Material
with you when you travel for down time. If you've got recommendations please feel free to comment and I'll add them as appropriate.
Deployment & Tactical Gear:
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Posted by JWB at 5/28/2008 8:37 PM 
Categories: Deployment Checklist
Tags: deployment checklist deployment gear deployment
Categories: Deployment Checklist
Tags: deployment checklist deployment gear deployment
This is outstanding!! I'm going to link this to my blog b/c it has everything that you need listed. Also I would add chapstick and for waterproofing, I used gallon ziplock bags. they also sell these black plastic footlockers with wheels that were the Sh** on this deployment. Maybe throw in some bounce dryer sheets if you have a washer and dryer. For the first time guy this is an awesome list of gear and wear to get it. There are alot of guys who will thank you later.
S/F
Taco
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Great advice, the info will go a long way.
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Thanks. If anyone has anything to add - feel free to post a response!
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Great list! Very comprehensive! I would also add that if you have credit card balances and/or loans that exist prior to deployment that you can have them all lowered to no more than 6% interested according to the Servicemember's Civil Relief Act (SCRA). This saved me a bunch on my auto loan when I deployed the first time!
Also, bring (battery operated)speakers that you can plug your ipod into so that you can have some music at the job site.
Tiny laptops called "netbooks" are great for portability - new ones will be coming out that will have dvd players within them (just like current laptops). These are durable and can literally be put in a pocket to save you a bunch of room!
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This is great. Thanks for the info. This is the best gear list I have found thus far- others recommend entirely too much excess. Good job!
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I'm about to hit my third deployment. Great information all in one spot. Way to cover your bases
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